The Outdoor Retailer's Guide To Social Media | O.W. Lee

The Outdoor Retailer’s Guide to Social Media

Tips and tools to help you boost visibility and drive foot traffic

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In today’s market, a strong social media presence can do more than just drive traffic–it can build trust, inspire design ideas, and help convert browsers into loyal customers. Whether you’re managing a large showroom or a boutique outdoor retailer, here are some proven social media tips to elevate your brand and showcase collections like O.W. Lee in the best light possible.

  1. Post Real Installations
    One of the most powerful forms of content is the real-life application of your products. Share photos and videos of actual customer patios, showroom setups, and completed installs. These posts help prospective buyers visualize what’s possible and show off your design expertise. Pro Tip: Ask customers for permission to share their setups–and tag them when possible. If you’re featuring O.W. Lee products, tag us–we may re-share your content!
  2. Use the Power of Video
    Short-form video content continues to dominate platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Capture clips of your delivery team setting up a beautiful patio, a time-lapse of a seasonal floor refresh, or a quick walkthrough of a new collection. Ideas: “How to Style Your Outdoor Spaces for Fall” “Unboxing O.W. Lee’s Latest Fire Pit” “Before & After: Patio Makeover Reveal”
  3. Highlight Seasonal Trends
    Use your posts to educate and inspire. Highlight trending colors, materials, or configurations that work best for each season. Tie these trends back to the pieces you carry–such as fabrics for summer or fire pits for cozy fall evenings. Content Calendar Tip: Create seasonal campaigns around outdoor living: Spring Refresh, Summer Staycation, Fall Fireside Moments, and so on.
  4. Be Consistent
    Even if you’re only posting a few times a week, consistency builds recognition. Use tools like Meta Business Suite, Hootsuite, or Metricool to plan and schedule content ahead of time. This ensures your feed stays active–even during your busiest showroom weeks.
  5. Engage With Your Audience
    Social media isn’t just a publishing platform–it’s a conversation. Respond to comments, reply to messages, and thank followers who tag your business. Engaged accounts get more reach and build stronger customer relationships.
  6. Use Tags, Hashtags, and Location Wisely
    Tag @owleecasual when sharing our products–we often repost dealer content. Use a mix of branded (#OWLee, #YourStoreName), product (#FirePitTable, #OutdoorSectional, #owLeeMonterra), and local (#AustinPatios, #SanDiegoOutdoorLiving) hashtags to boost visibility. Always tag your location! Local shoppers are your bread and butter.
  7. Show Your Expertise
    As an outdoor living expert, your insights matter. Share design tips, maintenance advice, and behind-the-scenes moments. These posts build trust and position your team as knowledgeable professionals–not just salespeople.
  8. Feature Your Team
    Put faces to your business. Show off your sales staff, delivery team, or in-house designers. Customers love to support people, not just stores–especially when they’ve already “met” your team online.
  9. Encourage UGC (User-Generated Content)
    Invite your customers to tag you in their outdoor spaces–and repost their images. It’s authentic, free content that also acts as a testimonial. Consider: Running a seasonal giveaway for customers who share and tag your products!
  10. Track What’s Working
    Use Instagram and Facebook insights to understand which types of content perform best. Are before-and-afters driving engagement? Are Reels outperforming static photos? Let data guide your strategy.

Bottom Line: Social media isn’t just a nice-to-have–it’s a vital part of modern retail. With a little planning and the right strategy, you can turn followers into foot traffic and browsers into buyers.

Need Content Featuring O.W. Lee? We’re here to support you. Check out the Media Library or reach out for high-quality product photography, social-ready videos, or collection descriptions to make your feed stand out. If you tag us, we’ll keep an eye out and amplify your posts when we can!